Day: August 18, 2024

The Head of the National State Forces Alliance, Ammar al-Hakim, discussed this evening with the Head of the New Generation Movement, Shaswar Abdul Wahid, the latest developments in the political scene in Iraq and the upcoming entitlements, especially the entitlement of the elections in the Kurdistan Region.

Al-Hakim stressed, according to a statement from his office, the necessity of everyone’s participation and presenting service and development electoral programs.

He stated: “The stability of Iraq depends on the stability of all internal arenas, and everyone must bear the responsibility of transforming the current stability into permanent stability.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Maronite Patriarch Bechara Al-Rahi expressed deep concern over the worsening situation in southern Lebanon, where the ongoing conflict has plunged residents into what he described as “catastrophic” conditions.

In his Sunday sermon in Dimane, Al-Rahi highlighted the stark choices faced by the South Lebanon residents struggling to survive amidst the turmoil, sharing the dire situation of those who have reached out to him with accounts of their deplorable living conditions due to the ongoing conflict there.

“We have received letters from the South describing the disastrous conditions caused by the war,” Al-Rahi said, shedding light on the desperate pleas coming from affected communities. “In the face of this dark tunnel, our people are divided-some have been forced to flee, while others have remained steadfast on their land to preserve their livelihoods, bravely defying all challenges.”

The Patriarch hailed the resilience of those who have chosen to stay, praising their determination to protect their homes an
d maintain their way of life despite the overwhelming difficulties.

Al-Rahi also called attention to the broader political crisis facing Lebanon, emphasizing the critical need to elect a new President of the Republic. He pointed out that, with the current Parliament having lost its legislative authority amidst the ongoing political deadlock, the election of a new president is crucial for the country to navigate these challenging times.

Source : National news agency – Lebanon

This is a perilous moment in the Middle East. Israel’s actions in Gaza continue to lead to intolerable loss of civilian life. Hostages taken by Hamas terrorists remain in chains, 316 days since the 7 October attack. There are French and British citizens among them.

Fighting between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah has intensified. Iranian threats of further escalation mean the risks of a full-scale regional war are rising.

What we are witnessing is a destructive cycle of violence. One miscalculation, and the situation risks spiralling into an even deeper and more intractable conflict. This cycle, with its tendency towards escalation, is making progress towards a political solution harder.

Our response is to reconnect – using the joint strengths of our diplomacy to press a common message. We, the foreign ministers of France and the United Kingdom, travelled together last week to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. By making the first joint visit by a British and French foreign minister for well ov
er a decade, we are showing our commitment to working ever more closely together in a new spirit of cooperation, in the interests of our national security, Europe’s security and the Middle East’s security.

Our countries have a strong record of working together to tackle today’s challenges and, 80 years on from the D-day landings and the liberation of France, we must continue to exercise global leadership in an era of renewed geopolitical instability.

The UK and France are united behind a common set of messages which we delivered to Israelis and Palestinians, including in meetings with Israel’s foreign minister, Israel Katz, and the Palestinian Authority’s prime minister, Mohammad Mustafa. As UN security council permanent members, we share not only a common interest, but a common responsibility to play our part in the security of Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territories and the stability of the region as a whole.

All parties need to show restraint and invest in diplomacy. Any Iranian attack would have d
evastating consequences

All sides should focus on the recently restarted negotiations on a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza. These talks offer a vital opportunity to secure an immediate ceasefire that ends the horrendous conflict in Gaza. A route to securing the release of all the hostages still cruelly held by Hamas. And a pathway to restoring stability to a region already under immense suffering and facing the prospect of far worse.

Our visit to a Palestine Red Crescent Society warehouse was a stark reminder of the toll of this conflict, which is unacceptable. Without progress towards a ceasefire, this will only worsen. Brave healthcare workers across humanitarian organisations are racing to prevent an all-out polio outbreak but they can only start vaccinating if it’s safe to do so.

It’s never too late for peace. An all-out conflict across the region is in nobody’s interests. All parties need to show restraint and invest in diplomacy. Any Iranian attack would have devastating consequences, not least in
undermining current Gaza ceasefire negotiations.

Only a political solution can deliver the peace we so desperately need. That’s why we want not just a ceasefire in Gaza but why we are urging Israel, Hezbollah and Lebanon to engage with the US-led discussions to resolve their tensions diplomatically, based on the principles set out by UN security council resolution 1701.

The UK and France are not alone in highlighting the urgency of diplomacy to avoid further conflict. Both of us have talked to counterparts across the region and beyond, who share our desire to see a de-escalation in the current tensions. American, Egyptian and Qatari mediators are playing a particularly valuable role in coordinating the negotiations on a ceasefire and hostage deal.

And our engagement reinforces our conviction that urgently securing such a deal is in the interests of Israelis, Palestinians and the wider region. Only a deal can relieve civilian suffering. Only a deal can restore communities’ sense of security. Only a deal can
open up the space for progress towards a two-state solution – the only long-term route to safety, security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians alike.

There can be no delays or excuses. We must all come together. Reconnect in the interests of peace.

David Lammy is foreign secretary and Stéphane Séjourné is French foreign minister.

Source : National news agency – Lebanon

This is a perilous moment in the Middle East. Israel’s actions in Gaza continue to lead to intolerable loss of civilian life. Hostages taken by Hamas terrorists remain in chains, 316 days since the 7 October attack. There are French and British citizens among them.

Fighting between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah has intensified. Iranian threats of further escalation mean the risks of a full-scale regional war are rising.

What we are witnessing is a destructive cycle of violence. One miscalculation, and the situation risks spiralling into an even deeper and more intractable conflict. This cycle, with its tendency towards escalation, is making progress towards a political solution harder.

Our response is to reconnect – using the joint strengths of our diplomacy to press a common message. We, the foreign ministers of France and the United Kingdom, travelled together last week to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. By making the first joint visit by a British and French foreign minister for well ov
er a decade, we are showing our commitment to working ever more closely together in a new spirit of cooperation, in the interests of our national security, Europe’s security and the Middle East’s security.

Our countries have a strong record of working together to tackle today’s challenges and, 80 years on from the D-day landings and the liberation of France, we must continue to exercise global leadership in an era of renewed geopolitical instability.

The UK and France are united behind a common set of messages which we delivered to Israelis and Palestinians, including in meetings with Israel’s foreign minister, Israel Katz, and the Palestinian Authority’s prime minister, Mohammad Mustafa. As UN security council permanent members, we share not only a common interest, but a common responsibility to play our part in the security of Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territories and the stability of the region as a whole.

All parties need to show restraint and invest in diplomacy. Any Iranian attack would have d
evastating consequences

All sides should focus on the recently restarted negotiations on a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza. These talks offer a vital opportunity to secure an immediate ceasefire that ends the horrendous conflict in Gaza. A route to securing the release of all the hostages still cruelly held by Hamas. And a pathway to restoring stability to a region already under immense suffering and facing the prospect of far worse.

Our visit to a Palestine Red Crescent Society warehouse was a stark reminder of the toll of this conflict, which is unacceptable. Without progress towards a ceasefire, this will only worsen. Brave healthcare workers across humanitarian organisations are racing to prevent an all-out polio outbreak but they can only start vaccinating if it’s safe to do so.

It’s never too late for peace. An all-out conflict across the region is in nobody’s interests. All parties need to show restraint and invest in diplomacy. Any Iranian attack would have devastating consequences, not least in
undermining current Gaza ceasefire negotiations.

Only a political solution can deliver the peace we so desperately need. That’s why we want not just a ceasefire in Gaza but why we are urging Israel, Hezbollah and Lebanon to engage with the US-led discussions to resolve their tensions diplomatically, based on the principles set out by UN security council resolution 1701.

The UK and France are not alone in highlighting the urgency of diplomacy to avoid further conflict. Both of us have talked to counterparts across the region and beyond, who share our desire to see a de-escalation in the current tensions. American, Egyptian and Qatari mediators are playing a particularly valuable role in coordinating the negotiations on a ceasefire and hostage deal.

And our engagement reinforces our conviction that urgently securing such a deal is in the interests of Israelis, Palestinians and the wider region. Only a deal can relieve civilian suffering. Only a deal can restore communities’ sense of security. Only a deal can
open up the space for progress towards a two-state solution – the only long-term route to safety, security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians alike.

There can be no delays or excuses. We must all come together. Reconnect in the interests of peace.

David Lammy is foreign secretary and Stéphane Séjourné is French foreign minister.

Source : National news agency – Lebanon

Hezbollah’s Media Relations Department issued a statement this afternoon, in which it categorically denied “the fabricated story reported by the Wall Street Journal about the martyrdom of the Senior Jihadi Commander Sayyed Fouad Shokr,” considering that is “completely baseless and has no grounds of truth whatsoever.”

The Party’s Media Relations also confirmed that none of the three newspaper correspondents whose names were mentioned in the article have ever met any Hezbollah officials.

“Therefore, the false story from its basis and the source attributed to it are nothing more than the imagination of its writers, with the sole goal of promoting propaganda for the Zionist enemy,” the statement underlined. It added that such practices have been the custom of the aforementioned newspaper and several Lebanese and Arab media outlets, publishing such a false story without any verification or scrutiny and building stances on its claims in the service of the Zionist project.

Source : National news agency – Lebanon

Prime Minister Najib Mikati received today a call from the Prime Minister of Algeria, Nadhir Arbawi, during which relations between the two countries were discussed.

During the phone call, the Algerian Prime Minister stressed that his country supports Lebanon and stands by its side.

He also informed PM Mikati that, under the directives of Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Lebanon will be immediately supplied with quantities of oil to help it overcome the current crisis in the electricity sector.

In turn, PM Mikati thanked the Algerian President and Prime Minister for this initiative and for Algeria’s continued support to Lebanon in all domains.

Source : National news agency – Lebanon

UNIFIL announced on Sunday that ‘earlier today, three peacekeepers on patrol were lightly injured when an explosion occurred near their clearly marked UN vehicle in the vicinity of Yarine, in south Lebanon.’

It added that ‘all peacekeepers in the patrol returned safely to their base.’

‘We are looking into the incident. We are strongly reminding all parties and actors of their responsibility to avoid harm to peacekeepers and civilians,’ UNIFIL stressed.

Source : National news agency – Lebanon